Phuket Airport Reopens

Phuket's Airport has now reopened to all international and domestic flights. The airport which serves both domestic and direct international flights, was closed immediately following the plane crash which occurred late Sunday afternoon.

Airlines had been forced to cancel flights or, as was the case with Thai Airways International, divert them to other airports such as Krabi. Now however, the airport is gradually beginning to accept traffic, and the airport is open to all flights.

On Sunday, a One-Two-Go McDonnell Douglas MD-82, flight OG/OX 269, crashed while landing at Phuket Airport killing at least 88 of the 130 crew and passengers on board.

The crash is Thailand’s deadliest since 1998 when 101 people were killed as a Thai Airways plane crashed in December while trying to land in heavy rain at Surat Thani. It is the first deadly crash involving a low-cost airline in Thailand.

Bangkok-based Mr. Andrew Wood, Skal Asian Area-Director of Development and General Manager - Chaophya Park Hotel & Resorts, commented on the Phuket tragedy, "Flying is still the safest mode of transport anywhere in the world, including here in Thailand. When Mother Nature descends with these intense weather pockets, there is of course an increased risk of injury but thankfully such terrible accidents as flight OG/OX 269 are very, very rare."

"However, that does not and will not minimise the sense of loss and pain for the families of those that lost their loved ones in Phuket this weekend. It was a terrible tragedy."

"Phuket will suffer some short term impact but we believe very little....most travellers understand that it was a freak of nature and most understand that chances of it re-occurring are minimal. Our estimate is that business will be off 3% in arrival numbers as a result but it should quickly recover as services normalise and the airport gets back on its feet."

While the airport has reopened, we would still advise travellers to contact their airline directly, just in case of any delays or changes.

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